Hazel – December’s species of the month
Hazel – Corylus avellana Think that there is nothing to see in winter out in nature? Think again! The trees around you might appear to be taking a long nap (or even looking a bit dead), but they are just taking a breather, preparing for new life in the Spring. Hazel is a great species to be looking out for at this time of the year, with its yellow-green catkins hanging, waiting to emerge. In fact, last year I saw the first open Hazel catkins on Christmas Day! This is quite early (due to the mild conditions) as the normal…
Beech – November’s species of the month
Beech – Fagus sylvatica I love beech trees… I shouldn’t have favourites, but this is definitely in my top 5! From the elegant, sweeping limbs to the perfection of its canopy in spring, summer and autumn. From the beautiful catkins to its knobbly beech mast and long, delicate leaf buds. Not to mention that its trunk looks like an elephant’s foot (and who doesn’t love an elephant) this is a species that has me captivated year-round. Did you know that copper beech is something which happens spontaneously, and can either be on one or two branches, or the whole tree.…
Robin red-breast – October’s species of the month
Robin – Erithacus rubecula With migration firmly in my mind for this month, I thought I would share some information about a much-loved and familiar bird species that mostly stays close to home. The robin (aka Robin red-breast) usually doesn’t move more than 5km from its territory at any time of the year, although some females will migrate to warmer areas of southern Europe ahead of the winter. Those which remain during the winter season are fiercely territorial and both sexes sing during this time of the year. The singing is intended to prevent physical disputes, but they have been known…